Virginia Field Reports: Harvest Proceeds Despite Wet Soils

REPORTER COMMENTS BY COUNTY – Comments are based on remarks made by extension agents, farmers, commodity specialists, and other knowledgeable individuals.

NORTHERN

ROCKINGHAM (Doug Horn)
A hot week with only a few scattered showers. Corn harvest was in full swing even though some fields were rutted in the process. Several reports of corn ear rots, mold, and sprouting in the ears.

WESTERN

BATH/HIGHLAND (John Benner)
Pasture conditions are excellent for this time of year. Hay crop suspect though. Some folks are still chopping corn.

SOUTHWESTERN

CARROLL (Steve Pottorff)
Temperatures remain warmer than usual.

GRAYSON (Kevin Spurlin)
With such an unusually mild and moist start to fall, fall pastures are in excellent shape. Several livestock owners agree that there is more grazing to start October than the area experienced during the spring flush around early May. The late season pasture growth is welcome since conditions have not been favorable for making quality hay this year. Last week gave a window of opportunity for farmers to make much needed second cutting hay. Pumpkin harvest is well underway, and will wrap up soon.

SCOTT (Scott Jerrell)
Weather conditions are hotter than normal, grass is still growing well, and some farmers have gotten a 3rd cutting of hay. We have noticed some issues with Pythium in rye cover crops.

SOUTHEASTERN

GREENSVILLE (Sara Rutherford)
Above average temperatures and sunshine have allowed growers to harvest normally. One grower has lost 35 acres of peanuts due to complications from excess rain during September. Others have had minor losses due to moisture. Soybeans have started to show color change in the last week.

CHESAPEAKE CITY (Watson Lawrence Jr.)
A few soybeans were harvested last week. Corn harvest finished with good to above average yields. Cold temperatures at planting, delayed planting and excessive rain were the biggest challenges in 2018. Less acres of wheat will likely be planted for 2018-19 due to unfavorable profit margins.

General Comments

Days suitable for fieldwork were 6.1. Only a few scattered showers were reported allowing for crop harvesting; there have been reports of corn ears rotting, mold, and sprouting in the ears. Farming activities for the week included harvesting soybeans and making hay.